Should I take the LSAT or GRE?

Asked by: Retta Gleason DVM  |  Last update: July 5, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (53 votes)

GRE scores allow you to apply to more graduate programs; LSAT scores allow you to apply to more law schools. The GRE has fewer practice tests but lets you retake it more often and more times total. For most applicants, this choice will come down to which test can give you the most useful score to apply to law school.

Is GRE or LSAT easier?

Most people who have taken both the LSAT and the GRE would agree that the LSAT is more difficult. The GRE tests information that you can memorize whereas the LSAT does not, the GRE does not have logic games, and the LSAT is unique from any other exam whereas the GRE is similar to the SAT or the ACT.

Do you need to take the LSAT and the GRE?

Though the LSAT is still required for admission at a majority of J.D. programs in the U.S., many programs have embraced the GRE. Some of the most prestigious law schools in the nation now give J.D. applicants a choice between the LSAT and the GRE, including the following high-profile academic institutions.

Can you take GRE instead of LSAT?

The Case for Taking the GRE

Available throughout the year and across the world, it's easier to schedule and more convenient than the LSAT. The GRE will also feel more familiar to anyone who's taken the SAT or ACT, and most test-takers find it less time-pressured than the LSAT.

Do law schools actually accept GRE?

As of May 2019, 26 law schools accept GRE scores from applicants. These schools have cited studies showing that GRE performance is a reliable indicator of their students' first-year law school grades.

LSAT vs GRE for Law School Applications

20 related questions found

Do law firms look at LSAT?

Keep in mind that law schools look at your application in full — not just your score and grades. An upward grade trend can offset a mediocre or poor GPA, as can a strong LSAT score. Similarly, consistently outstanding academic performance and a strong GPA can offset a less competitive LSAT score.

Does Harvard law take GRE?

Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam.

Can you go to law school without LSAT?

While it is clear that many top law schools are accepting students who have not completed the LSAT, that is not the only reason some people choose note to take it. In fact, the desire for students to skip this test helped to push schools to accept alternatives in the first place.

Is LSAT still required for law school?

Dozens of law schools now accept either LSAT or GRE scores. But the LSAT remains the leading test for legal admissions. More than 100,000 potential applicants a year take it. Through a timed, multiple-choice format, it assesses skills in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning.

Is it worth going to law school?

The highest 10% of lawyers earned median annual earnings of more than $208,000 in 2019. Some law school graduates forgo serving as a lawyer in order to have more work-life balance. There are many jobs you can do with a law degree and legal-related roles where having a J.D. may be an asset.

Is the LSAT the hardest test?

Over the years, we have heard a number of pervasive myths discussed as people attempt to compare one particular LSAT administration to another, perhaps the most common of which is that one test is typically easier, harder, or somehow different than the others. The truth is that every LSAT is more or less the same.

How long should I study for the LSAT?

For most students, a three-month period of preparation (of approximately 20 hours per week) is a great goal. This is, of course, an estimate; most students are not all students. To find out how much LSAT prep time you're likely to need, we recommend taking a practice LSAT to get a baseline score.

Is there math on the LSAT?

Does the LSAT have math? The LSAT is not a subject-based text and does not have traditional mathematics sections. There are, however, numerals present and mathematical concepts may arise in one or more of logic, reasoning, and even comprehension sections.

Is the GRE easier than the LSAT Reddit?

As a test taker of both the LSAT and the GRE I feel that the GRE is significantly easier than the LSAT. The 'converted' scores can't be compared. I am a prime example of why it doesn't make sense to compare and convert the results.

Is the GRE difficult?

Compared to the ACT and the SAT, the GRE is typically considered more difficult because, even though the math tested on the GRE is a lower level than the math tested on the SAT and ACT, the GRE has more challenging vocabulary and reading passages, and the math problems have trickier wording or require higher-level ...

Does Stanford accept GRE for law school?

All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. If you have one or more valid LSAT scores, they must be reported as part of your application.

What will replace LSAT?

Starting now, the GRE can replace the LSAT in law school admissions.

How much does the LSAT cost?

If I've already taken the LSAT and want to take it again, what would it cost? The cost of the LSAT is the same for both first-time and repeat test takers. For the August 2021-June 2022 testing years, LSAT registration costs $200.

How many times can I take the LSAT?

How many times may I take the LSAT? Starting with the September 2019 test administration, test takers are permitted to take the LSAT: Three times in a single testing year (the next testing cycle begins with the August 2021 test and goes through the June 2022 test).

How hard is LSAT?

With roughly 100,000 LSATs administered in the past year, that would suggest that about 30 people received a perfect score. When only 30 people achieve this score out of 100,000 test takers, the inference is that this is a very, very difficult exam!

Is a 151 on the LSAT good?

A 151 is generally considered to be an “average” score, because it roughly correlates to the 50th percentile. That means that if you receive an LSAT score of 151, you did better than half the people who took the test, and you did worse than half the people who took the test.

Is law school harder than med school?

In short, medical school is hands-on and requires a lot of memorization. Law school requires analytical work and critical thinking. Law school requires heavy reading and writing while medical school requires learning about problems through clinical studies and hands-on training.

Is it worth it to get a masters before law school?

Frankly, having a Master's degree probably isn't going to make law school significantly easier for you. In fact, I wouldn't even say it would dramatically increase your chances of admission. And, it goes without saying, that doing a Master's before law school means more school debt down the road to pay off.